CHAPTER 3
1154 Words
Glimpses of the Past
Varian's POV
Her lips were gentle, warm; everything I had imagined and more. Though I knew I should not have kissed her, I found it difficult to stop myself. She tasted the hope I had lost so long ago.
Still, hope had risks. Hope constituted a curse.
I turned aside, my chest fluttering. Aria opened her lips in disbelief, her eyes wide. Her contact still lingered on my skin, her fingers twisted in my hair, her warmth.
"What... what was that?"? Her voice shook as she murmured.
"A mistake," I murmured, my voice colder than I wanted. I had to look after her. Even so, it meant hurting her heart.
Her face collapsed, pain flashing in her eyes. "A mistake?" asos
I turned away, hands tightly closed. "I advised you to keep clear of me. You ought to have paid attention.
Her perfume enveloped me, sweet and seductive, making breathing difficult. You kiss me. Her voice was austere and condemning. "Don’t blame me for something you wanted."
"I have no want for you." The falsehood tasted sour in my mouth. "I never did," he says.
quiet. Fearful I would shatter if I saw the agony in her eyes, I avoided looking at her. I listened as she inhaled shakily. Then why did you rescue me? Why did you expose your life to danger?
I swallowed with a stiff throat. "I was guarding my pack." Nothing further.
She remarked gently, "You're lying." "I can feel it."
My heart turned inside me. She could constantly look right through me. Even now, when I tried to shove her away. "Believe whatever you want," I said, sounding empty. "It does nothing except change nothing."
She moved in front of me, her warmth against my rear. "It turns everything around." Her smooth, compassionate hand caressed my shoulder, and my will broke apart. "Why are you so terrified??"
I tensed and shrugged off her contact. I'm not scared.
"Yes, you are," she insisted, her voice quivering. You are terrified of feeling anything near. But you cannot flee from us here.
"There is no us," I said, my fury ablaze. "There never will be."
She flicked, agony shooting across her face. "Why are you working on this?"
My chest was hurting, so I turned aside. Because you deserve better than a monster.
She gasped, and her hand shot to her mouth. You're not a monster.
I laughed; the sound seemed hollow. "You know nothing about me."
Then tell me, she insisted, standing in front of me, so impeding my escape. Tell me the truth. Do not hide anymore.
I looked at her; her green eyes gleamed with will. She deserved the truth; however, the truth would destroy her. I have to stop that from happening.
My voice faltering, I replied, "I'm cursed, Aria." "Everyone who approaches me passes away. You, too, will perish if you stay.
Shaking her head, tears gleamed in her eyes. "I'm not interested." I have no fear of you.
"You should be," I said. My heart is breaking. Since I will not be able to save you.
"She got closer, her hand exactly above my heart, lying on my chest. "We would then tackle it together. Whatever curse this is, we will shatter it. I will not be leaving you.
Her touch scorched me, causing my chest to clench. You're a moron.
She said, "Maybe," her eyes softened. However, Varian, I love you.
Her comments ripped down every wall I had up like a razor. Holding onto her wrists, I steadied her. "Don't mention that." Love me not here.
"I already do," she responded with a firm voice. And nothing you say will turn that around.
My body quivering, I closed my eyes. "You don't grasp...."
Then try to help me comprehend, she begged. Please be honest with me, my friend.
I stared at her, really looked at her, and realized I could not conceal her anymore. She had a right to know. "The curse... it claimed my family." It required everything from me. And today it is approaching you.
Her eyes opened, terror flaring in them. She did not, however, distance herself. "Then we battled it. Combined.
I shook my head. "You have no idea what you are saying. This curse, old... forceful. It consumes hope as much as love. It won't stop until you're dead.
"Then let it come," she urged in a strong voice. "I am not going to run." Not from your place. Not coming from this.
My heart fractured. She was ready to pass away on my behalf. To meet death itself for me. That cannot be allowed to happen. "You're a fool," I said, my voice cracking. "You are running everything at risk."
She grinned, and her eyes softened. "You are worthy of the risk."
I was not able to breathe. She was too close; her perfume assaulted me, and her friend drew me in. I wanted to kiss her once more to sink myself into her. But should I love her, the curse would take her from me.
I had to watch over her. Even so, it meant hurting her heart.
I answered, straining my voice to be icy, "I don't want you." I'm not in love with you. Never will I.
Tears streamed across her cheeks as it collapsed. "You do not mean that."
I turned aside, covering my face. "Go back home, Aria." Go from Shadowmoon. Forget I never lived.
Her voice quivering, she answered, "No." "I won't let you go."
My heart was torn, I tightened my hands. "You will then pass away. And it will be my mistake.
Her fingers caressed my arm as she reached out to embrace me. "I don't care." I will not let you go by yourself.
I turned aside, into the darkness. Then you're a fool.
The wind screamed, shadows whirling about me to whisper my name. One more glance back, I memorized her face—her tearful eyes. Goodbye, Aria.
She shrieked, "Varian!" and reached for me. But the shadows drew me into the black.
My heart broke with every stride, and I ran. Her voice, calling my name, begged me to stay motionless, and was still audible. But I couldn't. Should I remain, she would die.
I couldn't live with that either.
The shadows murmured, their words frigid and nasty. You cannot hide from us. She is ours exactly like the others.
My chest burning, my vision foggy, I dropped to my knees. "No... kindly... not her."
They hissed, "Curse you, Varian." Every beloved object will pass away.
I yelled, the sound tearing over the woodland through the night. However, nobody heard me. Nobody once did.
I went alone.
cursed.
And the shadows never let me go.
The shadow line surged, red eyes shining in the darkness. Hungry and ready, they murmured her name. Aria's destiny was set; nothing I could do would stop it.
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